A minor geomagnetic storm (KP=5) now in progress
Image credit: TW
Earth has entered a high-speed solar wind stream, and this is causing geomagnetic activity at high latitudes. A minor Geomagnetic Storm (KP=5) is now in progress.
The Solar Wind is currently around 600 km/s at this is helping stir up geomagnetic activity at high latitudes. NOAA forecasters estimate a 15% to 20% chance of storms around the poles as the solar wind continues to blow.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Solar wind
speed: 612.6 km/sec
density: 1.2 protons/cm3
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 131 sfu
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 5 storm
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.4 nT
Bz: 3.0 nT north
Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity (22 May 2012)
Solar activity was very low. Region 1484 (N10W43) had slight growth in its intermediate spots. Region 1482 (N14W71) had slight decay in its trailing spots. New Region 1488 (N12E55) was numbered today. At approximately 22/0205Z, a filament eruption was observed in the SW quadrant near center disk. STEREO B COR 2 imagery showed a faint CME that appeared to be slightly south of the ecliptic beginning at 22/0609Z. Further analysis is on-going to determine the geoeffectiveness of this CME. Solar activity is expected to be very low to low with a slight chance for an M-class flare for the forecast period (23 – 25 May).
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active. Early on 22 May, solar wind speed at the ACE spacecraft increased from approximately 360 km/s to 420 km/s. Temperature and total magnetic field also displayed a slight increase as a coronal hole high speed stream moved into geoeffective position. The geomagnetic field responded with active periods during the intervals 22/0300 – 0600Z and 22/1800 – 2100Z. Minor storm intervals were observed at high latitudes from 22/1200 – 1800Z.
The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to unsettled with a continued chance for active periods on day 1 (23 May) due to coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) effects. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on day 2 (24 May) as the CH HSS effects wane. Mostly quiet conditions are expected on day 3 (25 May).
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